what wax to use

[RiCeY]

Ive always wondered... I wash my car then chamois then go over the whole car with Mothers Quick Detailer. Does this add layers of wax or do SFA?

 

[Troy711]

I have already applied wax to my car ever 3 - 4 months So I need to apply a cleaner properly??? Not sure I really want to let prepsol anywhere near my car if I can help it

Thanks for the advice anyway.

Reaper

I just presoled my car, no issues whatsoever. Also just applied a first layer of Wolfs Body Wrap… man that stuff takes it to the next level. Really impressed. I'm going to do a second coat in the morning and maaaaybe a 3rd quick hit just to make sure I've covered the whole car. Then wax is going on Wednesday evening to finish it off.

 

[TinSnips]

I have already applied wax to my car ever 3 - 4 months So I need to apply a cleaner properly??? Not sure I really want to let prepsol anywhere near my car if I can help it

Thanks for the advice anyway.

Reaper

No problems. Yep, you'll need to remove the wax to apply the sealant. Prepsol is fine to be used on cleared paint. Won't hurt it at all. Or you can mix IPA 1:1 with demineralised water.

Ive always wondered... I wash my car then chamois then go over the whole car with Mothers Quick Detailer. Does this add layers of wax or do SFA?

Is it this one? http://www.mothers.com/02_products/08224.html

Doesn't add anything in the way of protection but it will amp the gloss up - you could try a spray wax instead every couple of washes if you want to add a layer of protection. You can spray some of them onto the paint while it's still wet so they work as you dry the car. QDs are handy to have on hand though. I use them all the time.

 

[RiCeY]

Yeah thats the one, definately amplifies the shine hence me wondering if it acted as a wax.

 

[TinSnips]

Not really, no. It will pretty much be removed by the next wash.

It is good to follow up a wash with a QD or spray wax though, as it will help minimise any mineral deposits drying on the paint from the water. Plus the effect that a lot of them give is a bonus. Try using a spray wax every second or third wash and keep the QD for in-between times. Both take about as long to use as each other, so it's not really an issue to pick up the other bottle. The spray wax will add a sort of sacrificial layer on top of your base sealant or wax to help it last longer.

 

[Tatiana]

I tend to leave the QD for touch ups between washes. I love the wet waxes as they are easy to use and you don't need to buff for hours which drills my arms. I end up with dead arms the next day lol.

 

[The X Man]

Ive always wondered... I wash my car then chamois then go over the whole car with Mothers Quick Detailer. Does this add layers of wax or do SFA?

Like tinsnips has stated, most manufacturers make a sealent or a good wax and then offer a cheaper "top up spray" (Quick Detailer) which is said to help prolong the original sealent or wax you applied earlier. It isn't a full wax but just a light "top up" that makes the paint look great but doesn't last long.

What i do is clay bar paint, apply a filler polish (Amigo Paint Cleaner) then apply a good quality spray wax (Optimum Car Wax) and maintain the wax by using a detail spray (Optimum Instant Detailer and Gloss Enhancer). I also use high quality microfibre cloths and application pads.

I repeat every 5 - 6 months and claybar again if neccessary.

 

[TinSnips]

^^^ that's a really good system.

OCW looks good layered too - it has no cleaners so you can layer it straight away. The sealant polymers will settle beneath the wax content.

 

[Tatiana]

So how often should you use a claybar?

 

[TinSnips]

Basically whenever the paint starts to feel rough. Once or twice a year should be fine for a garaged car - maybe a little more regularly for one kept outside.

If you run the back of your hand over the paint after you've washed and dried it and you can feel grit or the paint grabs your skin, it's time to clay.

This came off the lower half of the driver's door of a car I did not too long ago - you can imagine how the rest of it was - and that is after removing the tar.

Needless to say, that bit went in the bin - along with a couple of others


As an aside - you shouldn't let your clay bar get that dirty before kneading it - the amount of crap on that panel took me a little by surprise. I knew it was bad - but that's bad.